Gustav s



(No Model.)

G. S. KANN.

SHOE.

No. 310,440. Patented Jan; 6,1885.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

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Attorney.

N. PETERS. Plmnmm m hnr. Washinnlnlh n.

' eyeletholes, b.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV S. KANN; OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,440, dated January 6, 1885.

Application tiled June 1'2, h 4.

fastening that will be elastic when buttoned on the foot, as hereinafter described.

The invention will first be described, and then designated in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view of a shoe, showing the application of the fastening.

Fig. 2 is an inner side view of one part of a shoe-front, showing how the button shanks are secured. Fig. 3 is a section of the same partof the shoe-front, illustrating the buttonfastener. Fig. 4 is an inner side view of the button-hole flap.

One side, A, of the shoe front has a row of The buttons 0 are of any ordinary kind, having shanks d, with the usual eyes, which will pass freely through the eyelets. An elastic cord, e, on the inner side of the front, passes through the eyes of all the button-shanks, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. One, two, or more elastic cords may be used, or, instead, an elastic tape. The ends 9 of the elastic cord are made fast, by stitching or otherwise, to the shoefront. By this means each button when drawn on will yield, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 3, where, for clear illustration, a button is shown with its shank drawn entirely from the eyelet, and the elastic cord attached to the shank is seen projecting through the eyelet to the outer side. It is not contemplated, however, that in the ordinary wear of the shoe the elastic cord will be thus drawn to the outer side.

The eyelet is an important and a desirable adjunct. The eyelet is desirable, because it prevents the shank or cord from tearing the shoe-front when strain is on the button, and

5 it also lessens the wear on the elastic cord.

The eyelet, button-shank in the eyelet, and

(No model.)

an ordinary cord through the button-shank may be used, and, while not affording elasticity, are within the scope of my invention.

The button-hole flap F is made of the clastic material used in shoes, and may have a leather facing, 5/, on one side where the buttonholes h are formed. As that portion, 2', of the flap between the button-hole facing and the edge 76 where it is attached to the shoe-front has its elasticity unin'ipaired, it will be seen that when the shoe is buttoned on the foot, if there be any strain, the said flap will yield.

As the button-hole flap is adapted to yield, the strain of the fastening is divided, and there is therefore less strain on the elastic cord; and by the combination of the elastic button-fastening and the elastic button-hole llap the shoe-front at both sides of the opening will better adjust itself to and set true on the foot, and a slight disparity in size between the shoe and the foot will not produce, as in other button-shoes, any perceptible effect.

Another advantage of the herein-described elasticity in the fastening is, that the shoe may be readily buttoned by the fingers, a butto11- hook being unnecessary.

I am aware that elastic cord, gores, and other elastic parts are common in boots and shoes, and layno claim thereto, except as herein specifically stated.

Having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- A shoehaving its buttons fastened by means of an elastic cord passing through the buttoneye, whereby each button has elasticity imparted to it, and a button-hole flap, F, of elastie material having a leather facing, g, on one side where the button-holes are formed, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAV S. KANN.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN E. Mourns, CHAS. B. llLiNN. 

